If this is your first visit, be sure to
check out the FAQ by clicking the
link above. You may have to register
before you can post: click the register link above to proceed. To start viewing messages,
select the forum that you want to visit from the selection below.

TIG guys......feeding the filler technique?

What do you guys use for feeding the filler through your fingers without having to pause and restart the arc? I am confident in my welds as long as I don't span more than 6-8" of filler because I am not steady enough to hold it much further out and I am not using proper technique to feed the wire through my gloves. I feel this is what separates a good tig welder from a really good tig welder. Dave

My excuse is I don't tig everyday so I don't get enough practice at feeding it. I just back off on the peddle to still keep a small arc so I don't lose my place. Then I push the back end of the rod against my body etc. to feed it through another 6-10" & pick up where I left off.

On the stuff I do I have found it doesn't matter if I can feed it smoothly or not.

Somebody here recommended sitting around with a glove on and practice. I have done that but you need an aiming point. I could feed pretty good then trying it for real the end of the filler wire was all over the place.

TIG guys......feeding the filler technique?

The glove practice works a lot you just have to find the way that works best for you. I use the pencil method too expect I don't push with my thumb I hold with my thumb and use my index and middle finger to feed.

TIG guys......feeding the filler technique?

I do the same as bellboymotorsports. When I started I would practice feeding, with a tig glove on, while sitting in traffic on my way to work. I would feed 4" and push it back with the dash. I would only use about 10" of fill though. You could try this also. http://m.cyberweld.com/tigpen.html
It's a filler rod feeder. I tried it while learning how to feed. I like the thumb and 2 finger method better.
Kevin

I feed with my index and middle fingers, I use my thumb to put a constant slight pressure on the filler rod to keep it stable. I can tack weld 10' of filler together and weld a joint with it non stop. Saves a huge amount of time versus bumping the filler out with your shoulder ect.